One of the unique aspects of living in a cash based society like India is the value that is placed on change. Not change in "let's make society better," but change in "do you have change for a dollar." There is a strange attachment to smaller denomination bills, like a 10 Rupee note (roughly $0.20) and getting a storekeeper to part with one is sometimes more complicated than the US tax code.
In the United States, if you go into a store and buy something for $2.75 and hand the cashier a ten dollar bill, the cashier, without hesitation, reaches in, counts the change and off you go. In Delhi, if you had the same purchase, the processes takes on a very different tone. Firs, the cashier will slowly look at the bill and then, as if you have somehow annoyed them by making the purchase, ask if you have change. When you respond "no," the cashier will then stare down at the register for about 30 seconds as if waiting for Lakhshimi herself to make the change for him. When the God of Prosperity does not appear, he will let out of series of sighing breaths culminated with finally reaching into the register and pulling out your change. Painfully, as if giving over his own flesh, he will hand the change to you. This all take approximately 3-5 minutes.
Even Indians find this "dance" to be a little absurd and when Indians finding something absurd, you know you are in a hole different league of strange.
In the United States, if you go into a store and buy something for $2.75 and hand the cashier a ten dollar bill, the cashier, without hesitation, reaches in, counts the change and off you go. In Delhi, if you had the same purchase, the processes takes on a very different tone. Firs, the cashier will slowly look at the bill and then, as if you have somehow annoyed them by making the purchase, ask if you have change. When you respond "no," the cashier will then stare down at the register for about 30 seconds as if waiting for Lakhshimi herself to make the change for him. When the God of Prosperity does not appear, he will let out of series of sighing breaths culminated with finally reaching into the register and pulling out your change. Painfully, as if giving over his own flesh, he will hand the change to you. This all take approximately 3-5 minutes.
Even Indians find this "dance" to be a little absurd and when Indians finding something absurd, you know you are in a hole different league of strange.
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